Veteran's Programs

These unique programs deal with the issues and realities Veterans will face in the community. Many of the units include Veteran-specific material, including 4 units designed specifically for Veterans.

Substance Abuse

OPEN TO CHANGE is a flexible, open group/open admissions program, based on a highly successful program we designed for Rikers Island Jails in NYC, presents up to 6, 10-session modules. Each module starts out with Pre-Contemplation resources and ends with Action Planning resources. Participants may enter the program at any point. Dosage supports programs with mild or severe substance abuse disorders. Available in adult, juvenile, and female versions. A 10-session Aftercare unit is also available.

See our OPEN TO CHANGE page for more information.

Veteran’s Specific Topics

Four (4) ten-session units which focus on the miliary experience. Three units are provided for all veterans, and one unit for deployed veterans only. Each unit includes ten (10) group discussion topics, assigned to provide a topical focus for each of the ten scheduled sessions. The staff leader can assign the worksheets in advance, and build on the responses for group discussion. Ideally, group size is limited to allow enough time for each member to participate actively. One outcome is that this resource is a natural vehicle for group members to learn positive things about each other.

Download Tables of Content for these four units.

Behavioral Health Resources

Basic behavioral health and specific topic resources:

The Bridge was designed initially for Riker’s Island Jails in NYC. This flexible, modular program offers a solid, CBT-based approach for mentally ill participants, enhanced with selected Motivational Interviewing (MI) tools, DBT elements, and critical coping skills. The Bridge features a core of 30 sessions, divided into three 10-session units.

Download Tables of Content for these three units.

Behavioral Health Specific Topic Areas offer a variety of special 10-sesison units covering key behavioral health issues, specifically shaped for veterans. Key elements include a basic cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach, supplemented by DBT mindfulness activities, distress tolerance skills, and tools designed to assist awareness and motivation for successful symptoms self-management, especially anxiety:

• Anxiety. The primary focus of these resources is awareness and self-management of symptoms relating to anxiety. Additionally, the unit addresses feelings of guilt and shame.
• Depression. The primary focus of these resources is awareness and self-management of symptoms relating to sadness and depression. Additionally, the unit addresses grief, loss, loneliness, and boredom.
• Trauma.The primary focus of these resources is awareness, insight, and more effective self-management of the impact of distressful life experiences, such as past traumatic events.
• Grief, Loss, and Sleep. The primary focus of these resources is awareness and self-management of symptoms relating to grief and loss. The unit also addresses improved sleep hygiene, including mastery of key coping skills for self management as well as improved sleep.

Download Tables of Content for these four units.

Anger, Aggression, and Violence

We offer a wide variety of materials on anger, aggression, violence, and criminal thinking, including some select Managing Aggression and Violence skills, all specifically shaped for veterans:

• Anger.The primary focus of these resources is awareness and self-management of symptoms and triggers to anger. Key elements include a basic cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach, supplemented by DBT mindfulness activities, distress tolerance skills, and tools designed to assist awareness and motivation for successful symptoms self-management.
• Criminal Thinking.The primary focus of these resources is awareness and self-management of selected areas of dysfunctional or criminal thinking. Key elements include a basic cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach.
• Interpersonal Skills (MAV).The primary focus of these resources is increased self-awareness and improved interpersonal and self-management skills. This is a skills development resource - with complete lesson plans, worksheets and participant activities.

Download Tables of Content for these four units.